EMDR Therapy for Addiction Recovery: Break Free from the Cycle in Los Angeles

Stairway Resource Center: Using EMDR Therapy to Heal Addiction and Trauma in Los Angeles

Substance use disorder (SUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occur. A dual diagnosis can be challenging to manage without proper support. Nonetheless, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy at Stairway Resource Center can help heal addiction and trauma in Los Angeles. Our clients have found true healing from EMDR therapy.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), an effective psychotherapy used to treat individuals facing challenges with PTSD is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This therapy approach helps individuals make sense of disturbing thoughts, memories, and feelings related to a past traumatic event or events. By processing trauma, patients can gain relief from the negative effects of PTSD.

How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Addiction Recovery?

According to BMC Psychiatry, approximately 45% of individuals diagnosed with SUD experience comorbid PTSD. A wide body of research has also highlighted that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is an evidence-based therapeutic approach for treating addiction and PTSD. EMDR can assist individuals in achieving long-term recovery by helping to address their emotional issues, reduce negative beliefs, and process traumatic events.

Why Consider EMDR Therapy at Stairway Resource Center?

The Stairway family is one of the largest in our area. At Stairway Resource Center, we feel it is imperative for our clients to build a strong support network of peers from the beginning of their recovery process. Our recovery team focuses on building a solid recovery foundation, acquiring gainful employment, and achieving higher education.

Understanding Addiction and Trauma

A traumatic event is almost always an unexpected, unfortunate, or shocking occurrence. The severity of trauma relies on the individual’s history and current affairs. If an individual was experiencing intense stress before a traumatic event, they may be more vulnerable to substance use. It is common for those who lack the tools to cope with trauma to surrender to substance use in hopes of suppressing the effects of the event.

The Connection Between Addiction and Trauma

There is no direct cause of addiction. However, various factors play a role in the development of substance use disorder. Trauma is a common contributing factor to addiction. If left unaddressed, trauma can often lead to depression or anxiety disorders such as PTSD. Those with untreated co-occurring mental health conditions similarly develop addictive behaviors to avoid emotional pain.

How Trauma Can Trigger Substance Abuse

There are three different types of trauma. Trauma can either be acute, chronic, or complex in nature. A traumatic event can result from abuse, violence, war and combat, an injury, illness, natural disaster, or an accident. Regardless of the type of trauma that has occurred, any type of trauma can trigger substance use if left unresolved.

The Impact of Trauma on the Brain

Trauma can have lasting effects on an individual’s brain. For example, untreated trauma can damage an individual’s reward and stress response. An individual’s amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex may be impacted by trauma. Traumatic stress can also increase norepinephrine and cortisol responses to subsequent stressors.

EMDR Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Mental health treatment at Stairway Resource Center uses individualized approaches like EMDR, neurofeedback, brainspotting, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for resolution. Our recovery team focuses on severe mental health cases alongside addiction. Patients have found success from participating in EMDR therapy for addiction treatment at Stairway Resource Center.

The EMDR Reprocessing Phases

The overall goal of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy is to help patients process trauma and improve their general quality of life. According to Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy involves eight different phases. The eight consecutive phases include:

Phase 1: Patient history – The patient and therapist discuss the problem that drove the patient to reach out for professional help. Symptoms, behaviors, and concerns are also addressed.
Phase 2: Preparation – The therapist creates a safe environment to help the client become climate to treatment.
Phase 3: Assessment – The therapist assesses the traumatic flashbacks that are being targeted by EMDR.
Phase 4: Desensitization – The therapist leads the patient in a series of taps, sounds, or eye movements until the individual experiences either two neutral or positive responses to their targeted event.
Phase 5: Installation – The emphasis is then placed on the belief that the individual has been decided. Once the negative self-belief has been reprocessed as an illusion, the positive belief is reaffirmed as the truth.
Phase 6: Body scan – The patient is asked to refer back to the tragic event. The therapist monitors the patient for physical signs of discomfort, tension, or distress.
Phase 7: Closure – The therapist guides the patient through calming relaxation exercises and equips the patient with helpful coping mechanisms and tools that will help them feel empowered with each session. The therapist also gives insights on what to prepare for, documents experiences, and informs the patient on how to effectively cope after being triggered.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation – The therapist reviews the client’s current emotional and psychological state and evaluates their responsiveness to treatment.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy for Addiction Recovery

Understanding that post-traumatic stress disorder is commonly linked with substance use disorder, early intervention is critical to gaining mental stability. The impact of trauma on the brain can be profound. However, our patients at Stairway Resource Center benefit from participating in EMDR therapy with our licensed therapists. Common advantages that can come from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy include:

Healing emotional wounds tied with trauma
Reducing triggers and helps break the cycle of relapse
Releases shame and negativity
Improves emotion regulation
Reduced depression or anxiety symptoms

Additional Benefits of EMDR Therapy

You will experience a range of additional advantages that enhance your recovery journey. EMDR therapy leads to improved coping strategies, equipping our clients with tools to manage stress and emotional triggers effectively. By processing trauma, individuals often find themselves experiencing a greater sense of control over their lives, enabling healthier decision-making as they navigate recovery.

Additionally, EMDR therapy contributes to holistic healing by effectively integrating with other therapeutic modalities practiced at Stairway Resource Center. This comprehensive approach ensures that you receive well-rounded care that addresses both mental health and addiction simultaneously. Overall, the multifaceted benefits of EMDR therapy at Stairway Resource Center significantly enhance the recovery experience, empowering you to reclaim your life and build a brighter future.

EMDR Therapy at Stairway Resource Center

Here at Stairway Resource Center, chronic relapsers are a specialty. Our team offers various solutions when other treatments have failed. EMDR therapy is one of our many treatment methods that promote mental stability and relapse prevention for long-term recovery.

Our Approach to EMDR Therapy

The team at Stairway Resource Center strives to help our clients achieve long-term healing from addiction and trauma. At Stairway Resource Center, we are committed to making you or your loved one feel a part of our family right from the beginning of your journey. We provide compassionate care. Our approach to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy delivers the following:

Improved sleep quality
Reduced stress and anxiety
Enhanced emotional regulation
Increased cognitive functioning
Reduced risk of relapse

Combining EMDR Therapy With Other Treatment Modalities

The expert team of professionals at Stairway Resource Center understands that no specific treatment option is effective for everyone. Addiction recovery is a lifelong process that often comes with several obstacles. We believe that dual care is essential to achieve lasting sobriety. Therefore, combining EMDR therapy with other treatment methods can provide an enhanced path to healing. Additional treatment options that can be integrated into one’s individualized treatment plan at Stairway Resource Center include:

Intensive outpatient therapy
Sober living
Outpatient therapy
12-Step-based program
Trauma-informed care
Clinical modalities
In-house psych & MD
Relapse prevention
Family involvement
Alumni involvement
Holistic practices
Mindfulness: encourage body, mind, and spirit
Dietary plans
Exercise
Spiritual

Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?

EMDR therapy may be an effective option for you if you’re struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues, especially those related to trauma. EMDR therapy may not be effective for everyone. If you’ve experienced past traumatic events that contribute to anxiety, depression, or substance use, EMDR can help facilitate your healing.

Clients who are open to exploring their memories in a supportive environment, guided by experienced therapists at Stairway Resource Center, often find EMDR to be a transformative approach in their recovery journey. If you’re seeking a compassionate treatment option that addresses both trauma and addiction, EMDR could be the right choice for you.

What to Expect During EMDR Therapy Sessions

The communal aspect of EMDR therapy fosters connection among peers. You can expect to share and process your journeys together, building a strong support network that is instrumental for long-term recovery. This sense of belonging not only reinforces accountability but also cultivates empathy and understanding within the group.

Not knowing what to expect before treatment can worsen anxiety symptoms and increase substance cravings. The team at Stairway Resource Center believes our clients deserve the utmost comfort and respect. That’s why we provide information beforehand to give each individual a feel of our treatment environment. Our recovery team develops a structured care plan and is here to answer any questions you have before treatment.

Stairway Resource Center: Your Path to Healing and Recovery

The recovery process is a unique journey for everyone. Ongoing support is important to maintain lasting sobriety. At Stairway Resource Center, we believe that one of the most important aspects of recovery is building a strong foundation in a community of supportive peers. We are here to guide you through every stage of the healing process.

Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Treatment

Here at Stairway Resource Center, we understand that failed treatment can be discouraging. Our mission at Stairway Resource Center is to provide structured, spiritual, and evidence-based recovery programs that foster community and connection while treating mental health and addiction. We provide clinically effective treatment options to ensure our client’s concerns are accurately addressed.

A Supportive and Compassionate Community

Not only can surrendering to addiction treatment be life-changing, but our supportive and compassionate community strives to make a difference as we genuinely care about our client’s future. Addiction recovery can bring on feelings of isolation. We provide the resources and support needed to develop a strong support network for ongoing improvement.

Long-Term Recovery Programs for Lasting Change

Knowing that addiction recovery is a lifelong process, continuing care can improve one’s ability to maintain sobriety. Here at Stairway Resource Center, we offer several aftercare services to aid in relapse prevention. Our clients have the option to work with a recovery coach, join our alumni program and events, participate in 12-Step groups, reside in our sober living home, or attempt outpatient therapy.

Overcoming and beating an addiction needs to be taken in steps. Our unique recovery residence conveys a very powerful message of love, support, and family. We offer a 12-Step experience that can fit most budgetary needs. Our residential staff and management team take a very hands-on approach to recovery. We apply a three-phase recovery structure that consists of building a foundation into our Stairway community, as well as the client’s respective 12-Step community. It is important for someone recovering from addiction to build as broad of a support base as possible, which is why our structure focuses on helping our clients build a strong network of people in recovery. Call Stairway Resource Center at (888) 450-2701 for support.